Stjoelive.com review: ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’
The parents who anxiously brought their young kids to see the first films in the “Harry Potter” franchise based on J.K. Rowling’s popular literary chronicles of young wizardry will realize something within “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’s” first few frames: This truly is grown folks’ filmmaking.
A big screen for smaller films
The Plaza 8 will begin its first-run series of independent films with the documentaries “Nelly Don: A Stitch In Time” and “Black Hand Strawman: The History of Organized Crime in Kansas City” this weekend.
Review: ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’
This film is exactly what you’d expect. It’s a Michael Bay explosion-fest with plenty of giant robot fighting scenes and hot chicks in skimpy clothes. It’s not a mind-bending thriller with intelligent acting, but a special effects-inflated action flick.
Review: 'Year One'
On paper, it looks like one of those dream team comic duos. Having wild-eyed goofball Jack Black paired with master of understated delivery and awkwardness Michael Cera in the prehistoric comedy “Year One” sounds like a match made heaven. Unfortunately, on paper is where this idea should have stayed. Despite Black and Cera’s abilities, “Year One” runs on the juice of rehashed historical parody and toilet humor with little laughs and zero cleverness.
Reviews: "Empty House," "Fan Mail"
Filmmaker Sean Christensen submitted two short films that were shown at the Griffon International Film Festival at Missouri Western State University two months ago. Because I only made it to the final night of the festival, I was only able to see one of his films. However, he was nice enough to send me copies of both movies this month. Here are the official reviews of "Empty House" and "Fan Mail."
Review: 'The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3’
In a summer movie season highlighted thus far by invigorating franchise revamps (“Star Trek”), comedies about wild drunken nights (“The Hangover”) and an old, crotchety guy in a flying house (“Up”), it would be easy for a film with a silly title like “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” to get lost in the shuffle. But thanks to dependable Denzel Washington and an outrageous John Travolta, this style-over-substance, beat-the-clock thriller turns out to be a decent summer ride.
Review: 'The Hangover'
By Monday, Bradley Cooper will finally be considered a leading man in Hollywood. By Wednesday, writers for “The Office” will be penciling in more lines for Ed Helms’ character, Andy Bernard, for the show’s upcoming season. By next weekend, Zack Galifianakis will be the new golden boy of comedy, quoted constantly by men aged 18-30 in living rooms, malls, bars and bowling alleys all over the country.
Haiku movie review: "Up" and "Drag Me To Hell"
Sometimes, people want to read a movie review that talks about the technical aspects, acting performances and overall execution and effect of a film. But let's face it. Half the time your friend has seen a movie and you want to know how it is, you want a short direct answer that basically says "see it" or "steer clear."
Review: ‘Terminator Salvation’
“Terminator Salvation” is the fourth “Terminator” film, and its name couldn’t be more appropriate. That’s because it not only delivers the big-bang blockbuster goods, it salvages a sci-fi franchise.
‘Star Trek’
“Star Trek” is a movie that will satisfy not only the cravings of toy transporter-owning hardcore Trekkies, but also captivate soccer moms, tweens, Baby Boomers and just about every other demographic you can think of.
Take note, George Lucas. This is how a sci-fi origin movie is made.
Review: ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past’
We’ve all been haunted by our romantic past at one point. In “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” Matthew McConaughey is haunted not only by his romantic past, but his present and future as well.
Review: ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’
There’s a lot of pressure for the first film of the summer blockbuster season. It tends to be the pacesetter. This is the time “Iron Man” came out last year and when the first “Spider-man” busted out of the gate to shatter the box-office records of the day in 2002.
DVD Review: "The Wrestler"
There are any number of wrestling analogies that could be used to describe the impact of "The Wrestler," but you won't read them here. Instead, it can be said that "The Wrestler" is simple storytelling and a simply amazing movie featuring Mickey Rourke giving one of the best acting performances in recent memory.
St. Joe Live’s Huge 2009 Summer Movie Preview
How does Hollywood follow up a summer in which Indiana Jones returned to the big screen, Robert Downey Jr. shined as Iron Man and a black soldier, and “The Dark Knight” shattered box office records the world over? With giant robots, wizards, hippies, cavemen, guinea pig spies, Spock and an Austrian homosexual--that’s how!
St. Joe native goes from reporter to ‘Play’
Many people went to see the political thriller “State of Play,” starring Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck, last weekend. Jackie Crawford of St. Joseph was one of them, but she wasn’t there to see A-list actors. She was looking for “Reporter #5,” played by her granddaughter and St. Joe native, Denae D’Arcy.




 

ST JOSEPH, MO

North Village Cinema:
Hollywood 10 Theaters

5405 N. Belt Hwy
St. Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 233-8400

Plaza 8 Theaters
2219 N. Belt Hwy
St. Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 279-3333

Horseshoe Lake Drive-In*
5815 Frederick Ave.
St. Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 279-3100
4horseshoelake.net

Trail Theatre*
111 N. 9th St.
St. Joseph, MO 64501
Direct Line:
(816) 232-6256
Movie Info:
(816) 279-7469


BETHANY, MO

Big Time Cinema
103 S. 15th St.
Bethany, MO 64424
(660) 425-7272
bigtimecinema.com


CAMERON, MO

Crossroads Cinema
1903 N. Walnut St.
Cameron, MO 64429
(816) 632-8890
crossroadscinema.com


CHILLICOTHE, MO

B&B Grand 6 Theaters
P.O. Box 77
2880 North Grand Dr.
Chillicothe, MO 64601
Direct Line:
(660) 646-1415
Movie Info:
(660) 646-SHOW
bbtheatres.com


MARYVILLE, MO

The Hangar
1602 S. Main St.
Maryville, MO 64468
(660) 582-7100
hangar1.com


MOUND CITY, MO

State Theater
510 State St.
Mound City, MO
(660) 442-5909


ATCHISON, KS

The Royal Movie Theatre
612 Commercial St.
Atchison, KS
(913) 367-0222


HIAWATHA, KS

Arrow Twin Theatre
729 Oregon St.
Hiawatha, KS 66434
(785) 742-3706

* Opened seasonally
KANSAS CITY AND
SURROUNDING AREAS


AMC Barrywoods 24
8101 NW Roanridge Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 363-4262
amctheatres.com

AMC Independence
Commons 20

19200 E. 39th St. S.
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 363-4262
amctheatres.com

AMC Parkway 14
8600 Ward Pkwy
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 333-1300
amctheatres.com

AMC Studio 30 IMAX
12075 S. Strang Line Rd.
Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 393-2262
amctheatres.com

AMC Town Center 20
11701 Nall Ave.
Leawood, KS 66211
(913) 498-8696
amctheatres.com

Boulevard Drive-In*
1051 Merriam Ln.
Kansas City, KS 66103
(913) 262-2414
boulevarddrivein.com

Cinemark: The Palace
500 Nichols Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 756-5833
cinemark.com

Englewood Theater
10917 Winner Road
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 836-8300
fineartsgroup.com

Glenwood Arts Theater
9575 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66212
(913) 642-4404
fineartsgroup.com

I-70 Drive-In Theatre*
8701 E. US Hwy 40
Kansas City, MO 64129
(816) 861-0500

Leawood Theater
3707 W. 95th St.
Leawood, KS 66206
(913) 642-1133
fineartsgroup.com

Metro North Mall 6
400 NW Barry Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 436-2502

Rio Theater
7204 W. 80th St.
Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 383-8500
fineartsgroup.com

Screenland Theatre at Crossroads
1656 Washington St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 421-9700
screenland.com

The Screenland Armour
408 Armour Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 421-9700
screenland.com

Twin Drive-In Theater*
291 E. Kentucky Rd.
Independence, MO 64053
(816) 257-2234

* Opened seasonally